I go to Iowa State and have seen DJ make some awesome sticks and completely wreck people's days. He's all over the ball. There was one stick he had the last time they played (in 03) on ISU's QB, I thought he knocked that poor kid out...To say he blew him up is an understatement. We also went to that Missouri/Texas game where most of those highlights were from.

"...posted 16 tackles to go with a forced fumble and an INT versus No. 2 Oklahoma."

Does anybody have ESPN insider? If you do copy and paste the read on Derrick Johnson I would like to read it.

In answer to the original question, I believe this was the insider article:

The final day of activities provided fireworks. Texas OLB Derrick Johnson was the "real deal" with one of the most impressive linebacker workouts in years, including a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash. Tennessee OLB Kevin Burnett and Southern Utah OLB Marques Harris put on a show of their own when they played a one-up-you game of gymnastics at the end of each of their position drill workouts.

Burnett started things off with a back flip at the conclusion of one of the rip drills. Harris elected to outdo Burnett with a cartwheel into a back flip. After the two exchanged blows once again, Harris sealed the deal with a cartwheel followed by consecutive back flips that left the entire audience -- including Burnett -- in awe of his athletic prowess. While the display had absolutely nothing to do with position-specific skills, NFL coaches and scouts were impressed.

The combine came to an end when the 12th and final group ran its 40-yard dashes. The 4.29 run by Oklahoma State CB Darrent Williams was impressive, but not nearly as impressive as Nebraska CB Fabian Washington's 4.25. One scout said of Washington's run, "Deion Sanders ran anywhere between a 4.23 and 4.30 -- depending on which stopwatch you believe." He continued by saying, "Fabian's time is definitely the fastest since that day, and it may actually have been faster."

Below is a positional breakdown of Tuesday's combine workout, which was dedicated primarily to 40 times, with some agility and position-specific drills. It is the conclusion of a four-part series that has covered the 333 prospects (17 positions in 12 groups) who worked out at the 2005 NFL combine.

Linebacker
Inside and outside linebackers worked out together in one group (Group 10) Tuesday. Most of the 35 linebackers in attendance worked out (12 of 13 ILBs and 17 of 22 OLBs). The seven who did not run were Kirk Morrison, Burnett, Ryan Claridge, Channing Crowder, Matt Grootegoed, Jared Newberry and Rian Wallace.

Wallace sat out the 40-yard dash because of a hamstring pull and also had a tough day on the bench press, as he had the fewest reps (10) of all the linebackers who participated. Johnson (4.54), Demarcus Ware (4.56) and Robert McCune (4.50) had the three best 40-yard dash times of the day. While Johnson and McCune's times were impressive, it was Ware's that drew the most attention because it proved that the 6-4, 251-pound DE/OLB tweener has the speed to make a potentially huge impact as a perimeter pass rusher in the NFL.

Ware's workout could have landed him a spot in the late first or early second round because of the increasing need for rush-linebacker types with his kind of speed. McCune did pull up lame with a hamstring injury during his positional workout segment, but not before he had one of the most impressive showings at the combine with that 4.50 40-yard dash and 34 reps on the standard 225-pound bench press. The two worst 40 times turned in by the linebackers belonged to Martin Patterson (5.00) and Clifford Dukes (4.97).

Note: In NFL scouting circles, heights are listed in four-digit form. The first digit represents feet, the middle two represent inches and the fourth represents eighths of an inch. So, the listing 6037 translates to 6-foot-3 7/8.

Justin Miller wasn't quite as fast as expected, but he solidified himself as a late-first-round prospect with his 4.44 speed, as did Carlos Rogers with a strong showing of 4.48. The top two cornerbacks in this year's class -- Antrel Rolle and Adam Jones -- both elected not to run or work out. Rolle left the combine early to get back to Miami in preparation for his pro-timing workout Thursday. The only other cornerbacks who opted not to run were Bryant McFadden (own choice) and Corey Webster (turf toe).

The overall speed of this group was impressive, but there were a few players who really hurt their chances with poor 40-yard dash times. Abraham Elimimian (4.70) provided the worst time of the afternoon. Others who hurt their stock with slow times were Eric Green (4.55 and 4.61), Marlin Jackson (4.59 and 4.60) and Markus Curry (4.63 and 4.66).

Bartell sprained his ankle during position drills, while Brandon Browner took himself out of first-round contention with a 4.62 as his best 40 time. Browner did put on an impressive showing during his workouts, though. He is extremely smooth and fluid for a 6-3?, 221-pound cornerback and showed excellent ball skills during drills.

Safeties
The biggest story coming out of the safeties' workout Tuesday involved Thomas Davis. Davis will need to move to weakside linebacker in the NFL after weighing in at 230 pounds and running a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash. He should still be a first-round pick, but his stock is likely to slip because of concerns about his needing to make a position change in the NFL. He did play a season at OLB in college, and his best bet (in terms of his draft value) would have been to remain at OLB for his final year at Georgia.

Gerald Sensabaugh had one of the best showings from the safety class. Sensabaugh is a late bloomer who finished his career at North Carolina after spending time early on at Eastern Tennessee State. He showed up in terrific shape at 6-0?, 214 pounds and ran an excellent 40 time (4.49) for his size. Sensabaugh, who once blocked three kicks in one game at ETSU, also had one of the best vertical jumps of the week, reaching 46 inches.

Bigby's decision not to run was particularly peculiar, as he's nothing more than a late-round prospect. He didn't make matters better when he turned in one of the worst position workouts of the group. Bigby's inability to catch the football became embarrassing after a while.

The three worst 40-yard dash times of the safety class came from Aaron Francisco (4.83), Jamaal Brimmer (4.84) and Atcheson Conway (4.87). On the flip side, the four safeties who helped themselves the most with better times than expected were Justin Beriault (4.53), Jerome Carter (4.52), Josh Bullocks (4.53) and Sean Considine (4.53).

If we were to trade up...let's just hope it's not the same thing that happened in Cleveland and DJ doesn't break his leg! We would have to give up a buttload to move up 7 spots! Switch first rounders, 2 rounders this year and next at least. The difference between 10 and 3 is 900 points. Our #42 pick is valued at 480. So that'd be about right. If DJ was a need, I could see it happening, but we have major holes in the OL.

March 11th, 2005, 8:35 am

Pablo

RIP Killer

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 9:21 amPosts: 9645Location: Dallas

Honolulu_Blue wrote:

Before anyone bashes it, I plan to write an article about it, if that's cool Paul.

I will try to demonstrate the logic of such an otherwise outrageous move. I've been throwing the idea around with a few guys at the DLMB. But hear me out before dismissing the idea as preposterous...

Absolutely Don, I know you've got a lot of passion on this issue - I'd like to see how that translates into an article. I'll keep a spot open for you...

We will see what happens with Lehman this year but again I dont think that he will ever be a good MLB. He belongs at WLB and even SLB seemed like a stretch last year. We have used a lot of picks already on LBs all of whom have shown promise but play the same position. Waiting to read this article by Honululu Blue should be interesting. By the way what happened to trading down repeatedly in the draft?

March 11th, 2005, 7:55 pm

Pablo

RIP Killer

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 9:21 amPosts: 9645Location: Dallas

The Legend wrote:

By the way what happened to trading down repeatedly in the draft?

That pretty much went out the door when the Lions signed Kennedy and Pollard. The thought behind trading down repeatedly was to pick T. Davis (SS) or H. Miller (TE) at a spot closer to their value, neither was worth a 10th round pick.

Now that's out of the way, the Lions can employ a BPA (best player available) approach with the 10th pick. The team now has the flexibility to still move down, stay put, or even trade up to make Honolulu Blue happy.

I am with you Honolulu Blue I want the Lions to do everything they can to try and land Derrick Johnson. I think he is the best player in the draft. Of course coming from me thats not saying much lol but you get the idea We get DJ in the 1st
David Baas in the 2nd
I am ready to proclaim the North Divsion and an 11-5 record
There I said it
11-5 North Divsion CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I need Crazys sig for this one becuase im crazy in love with the Lions

I am with you Honolulu Blue I want the Lions to do everything they can to try and land Derrick Johnson. I think he is the best player in the draft. Of course coming from me thats not saying much lol but you get the idea We get DJ in the 1stDavid Baas in the 2ndI am ready to proclaim the North Divsion and an 11-5 recordThere I said it11-5 North Divsion CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I need Crazys sig for this one becuase im crazy in love with the Lions

I would love DJ. He would give our D a smashmouth intenisty and toughness. Every LB mock has DJ falling past 10 execpt Brian, who has Tennesee taking him. Could we work a deal with the Titants, or will he fall in our lap?

BTW, I would like Sproles in the 3rd or 4th too.

_________________"If he isn't the best football player, the best runner, that the Lord has ever made, then the Lord has yet to make one." Wayne Fontes on Barry.

March 13th, 2005, 11:56 am

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4080Location: WSU

Sorry to burst the bubble. The guy is a playmaker always hawking the ball and great in coverage but he will get pushed around some in the NFL. He tackles low and with great technique but is not a "smash mouth" player, much better in pursuit then straight up. See UM/Texas, was DJ even on the field, it was hard to tell bc O-lineman had gobbled him up. How often do teams run the option in the NFL? And leaping as part of your passrush will get you killed. He is a better prospect than the guys we have Bailey, Lehman, Lewis, Davis. Good pt Pablo about Bailey's knees but those guys are still good young prospects. If he falls to us great but trading up for him is out of the question bc it is not a need position; unless Bailey, lewis, davis, or lewis is part of the trade...

My bubble remains unburst. I think he is a great player and one position you can never have too much of are Linebackers. The only alt to him at 10 would be Pollack or James, IMO.

_________________"If he isn't the best football player, the best runner, that the Lord has ever made, then the Lord has yet to make one." Wayne Fontes on Barry.

March 13th, 2005, 1:02 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4080Location: WSU

James has an injury history and is a risk. Pollack is tough but not talented enough to be the 10th pick overall. He is not the 2nd coming of Richard Seymour as some people think. Someone will get good value and production with him later but at #10 he is not the BPA. I'd take Merriman or Spears ahead of either of those two guys. If DJ is there at 10, take him but dont trade up for him, we arent one piece away. Too bad Ahmad Brooks didnt come out because that guy would fit us better than DJ does.

March 13th, 2005, 4:07 pm

spiderman

All State

Joined: August 11th, 2004, 1:38 pmPosts: 367Location: on the web

i'd like to see spears up front with big baby. lets build a dominating defensive line.